Are You Ready to Graduate?

The following requirements must be met in order for a student to graduate from Bluefield College.

The student must earn 126 semester hours to include the general education requirements, the requirements for at least one major, and the requirements for a minor, if required by the student’s major.

The student must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 for all work completed at Bluefield College. The student must also have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all coursework required for the major (including primary and related disciplines, if any), unless a higher grade point average is specified as a requirement for that major.

A student earning a bachelor’s degree must complete at least 32 semester hours of Bluefield College coursework to include at least 12 hours of the major and 6 hours of the minor, if any. A student earning an associate’s degree must complete at least 16 semester hours of Bluefield College course work.

The student must satisfy the College convocation requirement as verified by the Office of Student Development.

The student must apply for graduation with the Registrar by the deadline posted on the Academic Calendar.

The student must pay the graduation fee, along with all accounts on campus (Business Office, Library, Student Development, etc.), in full at least 15 days before commencement.

All students must be within six semester hours before graduation day in order to participate in commencement exercises. No exception will be made to these requirements.

A student who already holds a bachelor’s degree and desires to earn a second degree must meet all requirements for the second major and complete at least 30 semester hours of Bluefield College coursework beyond the first degree. All additional requirements above must also be met. A student may be awarded two degrees (B.A. and B.S.) simultaneously by earning 30 hours of Bluefield College coursework beyond those required for a single degree (a total of 156 hours) and by completing all requirements for both degrees.

The student is required to participate in the College’s assessment of the educational impact it has had on its graduating students. The method of assessment depends on the major, but may include recitals, written and/or oral examinations, etc. The student must participate in the assessment selected by his/her major. Some students will also be selected for participation in the assessment of the general education program.

Graduation Application

As listed above, each student must apply for graduation by filling out the Graduation Application from Registrar Forms by the deadline posted in the Academic Calendar. It can be signed, scanned, and emailed to BC Central or delivered to the BC Central Office in Lansdell Hall 304. Once a BC Advocate has processed your application, you will receive a Graduation Evaluation Letter; this is only sent via email. You will be granted one of the following four statuses with any follow-up directives listed in the email.

Graduation Statuses

Approved – Graduation requirements are complete and you are approved to graduate.

Approved to participate in graduation ceremony (within 6 semester hours of meeting requirements) – Pending successful completion of work outlined below and/or receipt of documents outlined below; please note that degree will not be awarded until all graduation requirements have been met.

Not Eligible to graduate or to participate in graduation ceremony. Your academic requirements outlined below must be met prior to graduating. You will need to re-apply for graduation.

Graduation Rehearsal

You will receive advanced notification via email regarding the day and time of graduation rehearsal. Your attendance is requested, as it is an opportunity to ensure the formal graduation ceremony is a success. Each graduate will receive their guest tickets for the Winter Commencement at rehearsal. In addition, all graduates will be given class photograph and alumni information.

Ceremony and Regalia

Each approved graduate is requested to attend graduation ceremonies, also known as commencement. Commencement is held twice yearly—Winter (December) and Spring (May). Class photographs are taken prior to the ceremony.

Caps and gowns are ordered through BC Central by completing the Cap and Gown Order Form from Registrar Forms. It must be scanned and emailed to BC Central or delivered to the BC Central Office with the Graduation Application. A description of the colors can be found in the graduation program, given out on commencement day.